Call for Papers – InterAgency Journal (Deadline Oct. 30, 2026)

The Simons Center for Ethical Leadership and Interagency Cooperation announces a call for papers for the InterAgency Journal, to be published in Fall of 2026. The Fall 2026 InterAgency Journal will examine the interagency and ethical leadership dimensions of the conflict with Iran. From the June 2025 strikes of Operation Midnight Hammer through the February 2026 launch of Operation Epic Fury and the fragile ceasefire negotiations that followed, the Iran conflict has tested the full architecture of U.S. whole-of-government decision-making and logistical preparedness. How did — and how should — the Departments of Defense, State, Treasury, and the Intelligence Community be prepared and coordinate under conditions of rapid escalation? What does the record reveal about the ethical responsibilities of senior leaders when strategic objectives remain shifting? How should the interagency manage the tension between military advantage and the requirements of international law and legitimate authority? The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 30, 2026.

– Submit an unclassified, original paper examining any aspect—broad or specific—applicable to ethical leadership or interagency cooperation. Papers should be between 3,500 and 5,000 words in length.

– Previously published papers, papers being consideration elsewhere for publication, or papers submitted to other competitions still pending announced decisions are ineligible.

– Manuscripts should be single spaced in Microsoft Word format using Times New Roman, 12-point font. All graphs, charts, and tables should be submitted as separate files in the format they were created.

– Submissions will receive blind peer review in accordance with standard professional academic journal practice. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of originality, substance of argument, style, and contribution to advancing the understanding and practice of ethical leadership or interagency cooperation.

– To facilitate review, include a cover sheet with full name, institutional affiliation, email, telephone, mailing address and an author biography not to exceed 100 words. Do not, however, include identifying information on any other page of the manuscript.

– For more complete information on formatting and style, see the Simons Center Writer’s Submission Guidelines is available online at www.thesimonscenter.org/contribute-content.

– Along with their manuscript, writers must agree to the Simons Center copyright transfer agreement, which is detailed online at www.thesimonscenter.org/contribute-content.

– Manuscripts can be submitted on the Simons Center website at www.thesimonscenter.org/contribute-content or emailed to office@thesimonscenter.org.

In addition to papers, the Simons Center is seeking book reviews on published works pertinent to the ethical leadership and interagency community. Book reviews are typically 500 to 1,000 words in length and should include an image of the book cover as a separate file in its original file format. Book reviews can be submitted on the Simons Center website at www.thesimonscenter.org/contribute-content or emailed to office@thesimonscenter.org.

Download the Call for Papers here.

The Simons Center is a major program of the CGSC Foundation, Inc. For more information contact the Simons Center at office@thesimonscenter.org. Information about the Simons Center’s mission, organization, and publications is available at www.thesimonscenter.org.